Maroon Clownfish blues

[fishykid223]

Heya! I'm a little new to the hobby and will be starting a tank within the next year, and I've fallen in love with maroon clownfish. Their colors are absolutely magnificent! I have four main questions. If the maroon was the only fish in the tank do you think a newer hobbyist like me could handle it? Is it necessary to purchase them in pairs, and will the fish benefit from that? What kind of clean up crew is compatible with these fish? And do they need anenome to thrive? The last two are really the ones that I'm wondering about since I couldn't find anything specifically on this species around. Thanks so much!!

[scooter31707]

They don't need an Nem to thrive. Yes, you can do pairs, depending on the size of your tank, but don't need to be in pairs to thrive. They can go with any CUC.

[fishykid223]

Thanks for the information! That makes me so happy, it'll make it much easier on my part! :0 I might still get an anenome bc they are quite pretty sometimes, though. Beautiful colors, here I come!

[GimpyFin]

Clownfish in general are a pretty easy fish to keep, so they are great fish for those new to the hobby. You're fine with just a single one too as the only fish, which is also a good idea, IMO. (Maroons can be a little more aggressive than some of the others and this increases if you have two that are paired up as they become territorial.) A few good cleaners are scarlet hermits, snails (Turbo, trochus, margarita, nerite, others), fire shrimp and cleaner shrimp. They don't need an anemone either, but anemone's are also not for a new tank, so I would avoid one at least initially. If you haven't already done so, take a look at the lightning maroon clowns. They are especially cool, IMO. Hope that helps.

[AwesomeDavid]

Just be careful on what you keep with the maroons because they can be very aggressive. They are also very hardy.

[fishykid223]

Thanks for the tips! I guess I'll leave anenomes for future, more experienced me. OuO Lightning maroons are gorgeous as well, ahhh! Decisions are so hard @n@;; I knew clownfish were good starters but I'm glad you think that even territorial maroons on their own still make good starters. Thank s again!

[billdogg]

The problem you will run into is that you will sooner or later (sooner) want to add an other fish or 3. If the maroon (s) are already there and established they will have a great time terrorizing anything you attempt to add to death. Once established, you can also count on them drawing blood on you anytime your hand enters the tank. If you really want one, add it last, not first.

Also - you have not mentioned what size tank you are planning. That will also help to determine their level of aggression.

[GilliganReef]

I'd move on from a maroon unless you want constant sand storms or everything in your tank rearrange. In my tank I have no sand on the left side. My Maroon named Paris loves to whip all the sand to one side. Also make sure you secure any coral frags you get. Cause if Paris don't like it will be on the other side of the tank tipped over. I have had 2 corals die from her. I would get any other type of clown.





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[thelawnwrangler]

Originally Posted by GilliganReef

I'd move on from a maroon unless you want constant sand storms or everything in your tank rearrange. In my tank I have no sand on the left side. My Maroon named Paris loves to whip all the sand to one side. Also make sure you secure any coral frags you get. Cause if Paris don't like it will be on the other side of the tank tipped over. I have had 2 corals die from her. I would get any other type of clown.

Beautiful Fish- sounds like you are the one putting sand and corals in the wrong place

[Sk8r]

If you want a maroon, there ARE fish that probably can get along. Once it reaches sexual maturity, it will be real, real pushy, and will kill to defend its territory. Hundred gallon tank a must. Then I would recommend getting ONE maroon, only one, and some Fiji Blue damsels, maybe a three-stripe or a domino too. I have a very similar tank. Clowns are damsels, and understand damsel language (movements) so nobody gets hurt---IF the tank is big enough. Your maroon will be the dominant, WILL clean out the basement sand (so build your rockwork all the way to the glass, and lock it down solidly with massive pieces she can't move. This is my tank, not the best shot, but this will give you scale. The golden domino is a maroon clown type, very similar behavior, right down to nem-dwelling, and has a temper to match. This fish grew from minnow to 4.5 inches nose to tail in about 1 year. She can be conned --- the Fiji blue next to her was introduced late, because a cold snap did in his predecessor---and I introduced the new fish by using a net to slip him way down in the rockwork. Being a damsel and understanding her threat, he stayed there until she got used to him. But if he'd freaked and swum up like most non-damsels, he'd be toast. If you're going to do it, pick out your community and put them all in together at once, while she's a baby. Then you'll have no trouble. They like a fierce current, and tolerate no intruders.

[GoVols]

Great Beginner Fish!!!!

One of the most if not be most aggressive species of clownfish as they grow into there territory.

[clowncaldy27]

Any type of clownfish is a great beginner fish and very hardy ! The thing about maroons is that they get larger and more aggressive than the typical Occy or Perc . They don't need an anemone in order to thrive , in fact I have a pair clownfish that are quite fond of a Kenya Tree . Any CUC is good with clownfish , except for emerald crabs depending on the size of the clownfish - the crab will outgrow the clownfish and potentially attack (and eat) it will the fish is sleeping . As for the question about pairing , maroons are harder to pair since they are very aggressive , especially once territory is claimed . If you purchase both at the same time you shouldn't have any (fatal) issues though .

[zsuman101]

maroons are mean as ****, you couldnt give me one . good luck

[chamjack]

My Maroon is over 7 years old now. She is definitely a territorial fish. If I place a hand in the tank, she is biting me until I take it out. Most of the fish I currently have, have been with the clown for years now, so she really doesn't bother anyone anymore unless they hang next to her Duncan coral colony. At that point, they get to feel the love my hand does.

Here's a recent shot snuggled up

[fishykid223]

The offer on the tank I was looking at fell through (150 gallon w/ stand) and I could go looking for another but I found a 10 gallon in my basement and the 30 gallon freshwater tank I own will soon be out of commission- I was thinking of degrading to a nano for the time being just to explore a bit before moving on to a bigger tank. I really appreciate all the help though! The maroon will probably have to wait, though it pains me. If anybody has good ideas for a tank that size or better suggestions I'm open to hear them! Keep in mind I'm a toddler tanker.

[billdogg]

I would go to petco and pick up a 40b at their almost continual $1/g sale. It's not too small and has a very nice footprint. You still would have to wait on the clown, but there are many good choices to be had for that size tank. Use the 30 as a sump. Keep the 10 as a QT.

[Sk8r]

Just a word of advice: the places where most people who are going to fail, fail---are two: first, too much haste. You've been sensible and researched ahead. And second, water quality. Running a living ecosystem, one closed off from the ocean at large, you are presiding over a saltwater environment that IS harder to keep balanced than a freshwater tank. YOu have to keep a tight control on salinity, alkalinity, temperature, often by adding buffer, and a continual supply of freshwater topoff to make up evaporation losses----and the equilibrium of alkalinity can be closely related to a three-way balance of calcium, alk buffer, and magnesium. You have to test often, or find a regime (like kalk) that locks that relationship: easy to do---IF you take that balance requirement seriously and do your tests. If you've got that nailed down, and if you have the common sense to keep fish that are appropriate in size for your tank and assure that only healthy ones go in, you're not going to fail. Corals are dependent on strong lighting, plus that relationship of alk-cal-mg, and if you've done right by your fish, corals are going to fare well---sometimes a matter of figuring which of 3 classes of corals LIKE your setup, but in general, the hobby relies on those two things---proper water, and fishes that are healthy.

Coping with the tendency of some fish (3-stripe damsels) to grab a coral and fling it (superglue gel prevents this) is a further trial, but learn those water-quality basics on a smaller tank and the 150 in your future will be what you hope.